How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I saw the time was right to make a play for souvenirs." (1.4)
The rules are almost political here: choosing the right time to get his Mom to buy him stuff she can't afford. Even at this early age, Jack seems to understand how to play the game.
Quote #2
"Roy acted as if this was a game we were all playing. I knew it wasn't a game, but I didn't know what it was, so I kept the promises he extracted from me to say nothing to her." (2.24)
Jack's playing by rules he doesn't understand here. It's not the first time he's trusted some guideline that turns out to be a complete crock. You'd think he'd learn; then again, that may just bring her around.
Quote #3
"Roy took the rifle back but promised me he'd bring her around." (3.3)
Important lesson: rules can be broken if you're just charming enough. Jack adheres to that lesson, even when it bites him. (We guess it's just another rule that ends up letting him down.)
Quote #4
"My mother had faith in me. She didn't have faith in discipline. Her father, Daddy, had given her plenty, and she had yet to see the profit from it." (7.6)
From parents to children: Jack's mom doesn't much like rules either. That might explain why she can't put any down for Jack to believe in.
Quote #5
"I liked all these numbers and lists because they offered the clear possibility of mastery." (11.28)
The irony of Jack's life is that, while he embraces the chaos of it, he really wants it all to make sense. The Boy Scouts offer that to him, with their lists and regulations and neat ranks of merit badges and whatnot. Like a lot of things in Jack's life, it doesn't turn out that way, but what are ya gonna do? Also, take note of the fact that mastering Scouting seems to confer to perceived power on Jack. And Jack desperately wants a little power.
Quote #6
"They lost the competition, disqualified for wearing nonregulation caps and boots." (18.28)
Arbitrary technicalities? We got 'em! Moments like these really seem to get to Jack because they demonstrate how rules and regulations don't translate into justice.
Quote #7
"She complained to the principal, but nothing came of it." (20.5)
This incident involves a test question, "what is your favorite Amendment." She answered it, but it wasn't the answer the teacher liked. And, as Jack notes, the rules clearly change according to who's making them. Another example of the stability he's looking for getting ripped away.
Quote #8
"I had already fulfilled the numerous requirements for it, including attendance at a jury trial to observe the rule of law, but Dwight refused to send in my papers." (21.37)
The bitterness is strong in this one: notice the way Jack mentions observing the rule of law, then being denied that same rule because his stepdad's a jerk. Not hard to see why Jack doesn't respect the rules… even though he dearly wants to.
Quote #9
"The school was patient, but not inexhaustibly patient." (31.11)
Jack seems to almost sympathize with the school that kicked him out here: another sign that he may actually dig rules and structure more than he lets on.
Quote #10
"It was good to find myself back in the clear life of uniforms and ranks and weapons." (31.12)
And… yes indeed! Just get this boy something sharp to wear and put him in a world where he has to do what he's told. It's imperfect (read the sequel to find out more), but he's pretty glad to get there after all the zaniness he's been through.